Highmoss Snatch Victory from the Jaws of Defeat

After
an early Sarsfields wide, a series of errors led to a Clans goal. It could be
said that if you are going to concede a goal, then it is better to do this
early in the match. However Sarsfields were second best throughout the first
half. Before Sarsfields chalked up a score, Clans had hit a goal and four
points, they had sent several handy chances wide and missed an open goal.
Sarsfields first score came when Paul McGaughey surrounded by three blue men,
managed to squeeze out a quick free to Neil McCann, who found Eamon McGeown and
he buried the ball in the Clans net. At this stage there was optimism that a
Highmoss revival could be on the cards. Sarsfields briefly had a spring in
their step, but Clans continued to control the game, they were winning the
midfield battle and pushing forward from the half back positions. Poor shooting
though meant that this wasn’t reflected on the scoreboard. A Ritchie Stevenson
free reduced the deficit to a goal, but Clans finished the half strongly and
went in with a six point lead after hitting three late points. The tally of seven
wides and a missed goal though may have been a cause for concern. On the
Highmoss side, they had only scored twice and whilst they had put four shots wide,
they had been poor enough efforts.

Sarsfields
needed a good start to the second half, but the visitors hit a quick point.
Sarsfields put an easy free wide and Clans yet again missed a handy scoring
opportunity. Sarsfields were seven points down and clearly second best. At this
stage Kieran Kerr was introduced and Peter Stevenson was pushed up into the
half forward line. Almost immediately this change reaped dividends. Colin
Stevenson pulled a point back from a free. Peter then set Eamon McGeown up with
a great pass. Running at the defence and playing a one two with Colin
Stevenson, Eamon scored his second goal of the match. The difference at this
stage was that Sarsfields were gaining more possession. With Clans having lost their
last few matches from strong positions, the doubt began to set in. On the other
hand Sarsfields were well aware that the visitors were rocked. When Richie
Stevenson kicked a great point from the side-line, it no doubt gave him
confidence and inspired his team mates. Richie added a point from play and a
chipped ball from Colin Stevenson looked as if it might drop into the net, but
it went over the bar to bring the sides level. Clans weren’t going to give up without
a fight and edged back in front with their first point in over twenty minutes.
Richie Stevenson levelled the match with four minutes remaining, after a good
ball in from Eamon McGeown. Clans pushed forward once more but a great
interception from Ruaidhri McKernan thwarted the attack. In the final minute
Colin Stevenson had a shot go wide and it seemed that Sarsfields would never be
in front in this match. Eamon McGeown though sent over a superb injury time point,
when it seemed he wasn't in the best position for the shot. Sarsfields had come
from seven points down and now were leading for the first time in the match.
Sarsfields held their nerve and more importantly held possession. Johnny
Reynolds doubled the lead with a fourteen yard free deep in injury time to seal
the victory. Sarsfields in general had been poor, but really Clans had imploded,
snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Eamon McGeown though took the
opportunities he was given to keep Sarsfields in the match and to take them
into the lead. As for the Highmoss management team; they can be happy with
their performance and with the switches that they made. Sarsfields have had
some matches this season that they felt they should have won. This match was
won and could so easily have been lost.